Resources Minister Paul Harriss said he was confident the protester laws were constitutional.Source: News Corp Australia

THE State Government is sticking by its controversial new anti-protest laws amid a coalition of Tasmanian lawyers and community groups calling for United Nations intervention.

And the Greens have warned the legislation could be unconstitutional.

Community Legal Centres Tasmania, environment groups, animal activists and unions have signed a letter written to the UN asking it to urge the Government to withdraw the Bill which, in the view of the letter’s signatories, violates “a number of core human rights principles”.

But the State Government said it would not change its position, assuring that people participating in peaceful marches, rallies and other protests would not fall foul of the laws.

In an effort to stop environmentalists invading forestry operations, the Government wants to hit protesters who disrupt businesses with on-the-spot fines of up to $10,000 and, for a second offence, a mandatory minimum three months’ jail.

Community Legal Centres Tasmania policy officer Benedict Bartl said signatories were concerned the Bill did not comply with Australia’s obligations under international human rights law.

Mr Bartl was also concerned mandatory sentences proposed would remove discretion from the judiciary.

“The introduction of punitive measures including mandatory sentencing for protesting will have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech and association and the right of peaceful assembly,” Mr Bartl said.

The Tasmanian Greens further fuelled legal debate over the laws yesterday, releasing advice on the legislation from Greg Melick SC.

Justice spokesman Nick McKim said Mr Melick advised the laws “carried a high risk of capturing individuals who would not in any sense be characterised as extremist”.

“In his zeal to lock up environmentalists, Premier (Will) Hodgman has made this legislation so broad that farmers, fishers and workers could be caught, even in some circumstances due to action taken in a public place,” Mr McKim said.

The Legislative Council is not set to consider the legislation until October and it is understood MLCs will seek amendments.

Resources Minister Paul Harriss would not say yesterday whether the State Government received advice on the Bill from the Solicitor General, however he said he was confident the laws were constitutional.

“This legislation does nothing to prohibit or diminish the opportunity of people to peacefully protest. What it does clearly is properly sets out a process of penalty for illegal trespass into workplaces, nothing about peaceful protests,” Mr Harriss said.

A peaceful protest in opposition to the laws will be held on Parliament House lawns this morning ahead of the resumption of State Parliament.